Picturing America

Thomas Cole

and the Birth

of American Art

Hudson Talbott

"The fascinating story of an immigrant artist who fell in love with, and fought to preserve- the natural beauty of his new country"

The Patchwork Bike

Maxine Beneba Clarke

Van T. Rudd

"When you live in a village at the edge of the No-Go Desert, you need to make your own fun. That's when you and your brothers get inventive and build a bike from scratch, using everyday items like an old milk pot (maybe mum is still using it, maybe not) and a used flour sack. You can even make a number plate from bark, if you want. The end result is a spectacular bike, perfect for going bumpity-bump over sandhills, past your fed-up mum and right through your mud-for-walls home."

'Little White Fish'

A New Series

Guido Van Genechten

‘Simple books about friendship and games, for playful children two and up’

Unbound: A Novel In Verse

Ann E. Burg

"Grace has grown up in slavery. As difficult as life on the Virginia plantation is, at least she has her family. When she overhears Master and Mistress plotting to sell her brothers, she and her family decide to run away that same night. But without time to plan their escape and go north along the Underground Railroad, their only choice is to head deep into the woods of the Dismal Swamp — a remote wilderness, filled with wild animals; daily searches for food, water, and shelter; and the ever present anxiety of being caught. Historians have recently discovered evidence of the Dismal Swamp, and a community of slaves who sought refuge there. Ann Burg's unflinching story, written in her signature luminous verse, sheds light on this little-known story and the courage of a people who risked everything for the chance to be free."

Recommended for Grades 4-8

SOURCE: FGC Quaker Books

https://quakerbooks.org/products/unbound-a-novel-in-verse

SOLO

Kwame Alexander

Blade never asked for a life of the rich and famous. In fact, he’d give anything not to be the son of Rutherford Morrison, a washed-up rock star and drug addict with delusions of a comeback. Or to no longer be part of a family known most for lost potential, failure, and tragedy, including the loss of his mother. The one true light is his girlfriend, Chapel, but her parents have forbidden their relationship, assuming Blade will become just like his father.

In reality, the only thing Blade and Rutherford have in common is the music that lives inside them. And songwriting is all Blade has left after Rutherford, while drunk, crashes his high school graduation speech and effectively rips Chapel away forever. But when a long-held family secret comes to light, the music disappears. In its place is a letter, one that could bring Blade the freedom and love he’s been searching for, or leave him feeling even more adrift.

SOURCE: Author Website

https://kwamealexander.com/

When Angels Sing:

The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana

Winner of a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor and a Robert F. Sibert Honor!
Celebrate music icon Carlos Santana in this vibrant, rhythmic picture book from the author of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters.

SOURCE: Amazon.com

'Beware of the Crocodile'

Martin Jenkins

Satoshi Kitamura

You probably know a little about crocodiles already. They’re reptiles, they have an awful lot of teeth, and they’re pretty scary — at least, the big ones are! They’re not very fussy about what they eat, and when it comes to hunting down dinner, crocodiles are very determined . . . and very cunning. But there’s more to crocodiles than just their appetites. They love to nap on warm sandbanks and cool off in calm waters, and crocodile mothers are very gentle with their babies. This fascinating look at one of Earth’s most infamous creatures is full of information for amateur scientists, with back matter that includes an index, notes on species, and suggestions for further reading.

Source:  Amazon.com

We Are Grateful 'Otsaliheliga'

Traci Sorell and Frane Lessac

"According to storyteller Traci Sorell, the Cherokee people always express gratitude for the little things they are given by saying the phrase, 'Otsaliheliga,' or 'we are grateful.' Raised in the Cherokee Nation, Sorell intentionally crafts a narrative that simultaneously embraces modernity and a traditional presentation of Cherokee community and way of life. Colorful, folk art–style illustrations show Cherokee people during ceremonies, in family gatherings large and small, and outdoors enjoying each of the four seasons, always expressing gratitude. The variety of skin tones represented in the illustrations likewise depicts a present-day reflection of the diversity that exists within the Cherokee people."

SOURCE:   https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/traci-sorell/we-are-grateful/

Giraffe Problems

Jory John and Lane Smith

"Edward the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. He’s tried disguising it, dressing it up, strategically hiding it behind bushes–honestly, anything you can think of, he’s tried. Just when he has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to throw in the towel, a turtle swoops in (well, ambles in, very slowly) and helps him understand that his neck has a purpose, and looks excellent in a bow tie."

​SOURCE: Penguin Random House

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

The Sun Is Kind Of A Big Deal

Nick Seluk

A fun and witty collection of ‘big’ facts and illustration about the sun, and the solar system.

Wild Buildings and Bridges: Architecture Inspired By Nature

Etta Kaner / Carl Wiens

"When you think about architecture, what comes to mind?  Tree roots, jelly fish, lily pads? Probably not! But nature has long been a source of inspiration for buildings and bridges. In this book, you'll encounter human made structures inspired by sea creatures, beetles, termite towers, grass -- and more."

The People Shall Continue

Simon J. Ortiz

Sharol Graves

"Told in the rhythms of traditional oral narrative, this powerful telling of the history of the Native/Indigenous peoples of North America recounts their story from Creation to the invasion and usurpation of Native lands. As more and more people arrived, The People saw that the new men did not respect the land. The People witnessed the destruction of their Nations and the enslavement of their people. The People fought hard, but eventually agreed to stop fighting and signed treaties.

Many things changed and became more difficult, but The People continued to farm and create crafts. They remembered and told their children, "You are Shawnee. You are Lakota. You are Pima. You Acoma. . . . You are all these Nations of the People." The People held onto their beliefs and customs and found solidarity with other oppressed people. And despite struggles against greed, destruction of their lands, and oppression, The People persisted."

SOURCE: Amazon.com Summary

If I were a Park Ranger

Catherine Stier

Patrick Corrigan

If you were a national park ranger, you'd spend every day in one of the most treasured places in America. You'd have an amazing job protecting animals, the environment, and our country's natural and historical heritage, from the wilds of Denali to the Statue of Liberty!

Source: Amazon.com

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

(Based on the classic books by Sydney Taylor)

Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinsky

"Ella is eight.

Henny is ten.

Sarah is eight.

Charlotte is six.

Gertie is four.  

It is nice being all girls-

'all of a kind,'

papa and mama like to say."

Ph(r)ases of the Moon:

Lunar Poems

J. Patrick Lewis / Jori van der Linde

"This magnificent picture book collection of original poems, retold myths and facts about the moon by renowned childrens’ poet Patrick Lewis glows with magic and mystery, aided by the luminous illustrations of Jori van der Linde."

Louisiana's Way Home

Kate DiCamillo

"When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town—including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder—she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes."

SOURCE: Author Website

https://www.katedicamillo.com/books/

The Poetry of US

It's all about us! Join former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis on a lyrical journey through the United States to experience the wonders of America's people and places through 200+ inspiring poems and stunning photographs.

Celebrate the gift of language and the vibrant culture of the United States with this collection of classic and never-before-published poetry. Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast, and among them you'll find works by Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, Robert Frost, Naomi Shihab Nye, Walt Whitman, and more. From the familiar to the surprising, subjects include people, places, landmarks, monuments, nature, and celebrations. Designed for sharing, but geared to younger readers, this beautifully illustrated treasury is a must-have for the whole family.

SOURCE:  National Geographic

https://shop.nationalgeographic.com/

'New Kid'

Jerry Craft

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

Source:  Amazon.com